The year is wrapping up and 2014 is just around the corner, so it’s time indulge in that time-honored tradition: the retrospective!

2013 has been a year of upheaval and, in some respects, a year of survival. A layoff, a new job, and a third kid have definitely contributed to what I can only call life’s relentless pace. Modeling has been a very welcome refuge, even as my tastes have shifted toward larger scales and my output has fallen off.

In 2012, I managed to polish off 11 kits. This year, I only saw 7 through to completion, but fully 6 of those were 1/32 and larger.

In 2014, I’m hoping to return to around 9-10 completions – something I think is easily attainable if I can stay away from the rash of false starts that have plagued me this year.

Anyway, on to the builds, presented here in the order in which they were completed:

1/48 Hobby Boss Messerschmitt Me 262A-1a/U4 – February (45 days)

1/32 Trumpeter P-47D-27 Thunderbolt – March (118 days)

1/32 Wingnut Wings Sopwith 7F.1 Snipe – May (71 days)

1/16 Panda Pz.Kpfw 38(t) – July (48 days)

1/32 Promodeller Messerschmitt Bf 109G-4/R6 – September (54 days)

1/32 Revell Messerschmitt Bf 109G-6 – September (44 days)

1/32 Hasegawa Nakajima Ki-84 Hayate – October (51 days)